The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1887-09-25
The American Party.

tH
Philadelphia few days ago, but the In
terest In its proceedings was not 80 greet
De to interfere with the centennial cele-
bration. Thirty-two States were said to be
represented In the Convention but as only
22S delegates were present, some OF the
Gtates must have had a scanty representa-
ton. All tho delegates were self-appointed.
Ahd there was nothing to indicate that they
Sppresented anybody In particular except
themselves. A Convention which could
listen with patience to Subsidy PoMHRoY,
cannot expect to receive great deal of re-
opect from the rest of mankind. Yet
! the delegates to this Philadelphia Conven-
ton are doubtless worthy and sincere men
Who have been reused by the performances
md threats OF the Anarchists into believing
that rigid restrictions upon the immigration
md naturalization Of foreigners should DO
adopted for the safety Of republican institu-
-elonS. In 50 fur at least as Objectionable
Immigration is concerned, o great many
American citizens whether OF native or
foreign birth, agree with them In principle.
n not in the specific remedies proposed. In
fact the last few years have brought q great
change in the general feeling as to immigra-
ton; and, foolish as was the American party
~ generation ago, there might now seem
70 DO chance for new American party,
proposing In no narrow spirit to correct what
4setting to be acknowledged as aser1ous evil.
The American party which was organized
ut Philadelphia last week offered no adequate
remedy. After long preamble. which con-
ta.ns the interesting Know Nothing informa-
ton that both the Republicans and the Demo-
Gratis "have IN recent electlons pandered TO
we worst clements OF lorelgn-oorn citizens.
giving them prominence as the balance OF
yottng power. offering Offices rs reward Tor
hcir political labor, and setting up new
p4rt1cs composed OF foreigners 10 accomplish
heir selfish ends" these 226 Americana do
lyered themselves OF this declaration:
our present system Of immigration and natural
of foreigners detrimental to the welfare Of the
'ea o,..sn Anr We p'saa' 0ai. ~, ~ .ns'.
sasnt Of pensrtm.nt OF Immirraton BY Copsrss. M.
Head OF which shall be appointed by the President Of the
DATED Slater and who shall DO member Of his Cabinet
we demand revision Oh ths n.'urenIaaon Avs
sn..Sis r.ou,,,ts Tor and ali Com.
munists Socialists, Nihiss, Anarchists. psuper. and
criminals from naturalization American citizens; but
20 interference with the vested rights OF fof'snsh"
OF course sensible men cannot favor the
creation OF Department OF Immigration as
b branch Of the Federal Executive, because
It would be useless. II any changes In the
Immigration and naturalization laws are adj
visable. they can be made by Congress and
executed without creating new offices. There
ls no reason to believe that longer term OF
sesidence before naturalization would help
matters. 1t would be nm injustice to the
thrifty and deserving immigrant, and the
criminal, the pauper, the enemy OF gov
ernment should be kept out alto
gether. Nihilists and Anarchists are
already incapable of naturalization II they
do not disguise their sentiments and per1ure
themselves. They should always be sub
3ected to rigid examination by the natural
tzing ofiicer as JOHANN MOST was the other
day. AS Tor the SOCIALISM, whatever thelr
hopes for the ultimate reorganization OF 30
ciety. there ID no reason why they should not
become good citizens as many OF them are.
1t is idle to expect that even with the most
carefully designed and observed restrictions
many Immigrants with opinions highly OBJ
5ectionable to the majority OF the people OF
the United states should not ma residence
A..E Nsrh haf hnNF